Booed and Walked Out On at Duke University Amid Pro-Palestine Protests

In May 2024, a commencement ceremony at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, was briefly disrupted during an appearance by comedian Jerry Seinfeld, who had been invited to deliver the keynote address and receive an honorary degree. The event took place at Wallace Wade Stadium and was attended by thousands of graduates, faculty, and guests. As Seinfeld was introduced, a group of students staged a walkout in protest. Estimates of participation varied, with reports indicating that between approximately 30 and 200 individuals stood up and exited the ceremony. During the demonstration, some participants shouted slogans including “Free Palestine” and “Disclose, divest — we will not stop, we will not rest.” Visual elements of the protest included Palestinian flags and keffiyehs worn over graduation attire. The demonstration lasted a short time and did not halt the overall proceedings. Reactions among attendees were mixed. Some members of the audience responded with boos directed at the protesters, while others voiced support for Seinfeld by chanting his name. Following the interruption, the ceremony continued as scheduled, and Seinfeld proceeded with his address. The incident occurred amid a broader context of campus protests in the United States during 2024 related to the Israel–Palestine conflict. Duke University did not cancel or significantly alter the event, and the commencement program continued to completion. #JerrySeinfeld #DukeUniversity #Commencement2024 #CampusProtests #PublicEvents #2024Events